TheX-Menfranchise is in a bit of a transitional phase over at Fox. On one hand,Deadpooltotally crushed and opened a totally new door for the studio to explore, but those adventures, at least for now, appear to be taking place pretty far away from the mainX-Menseries.Loganis also looking like it will be a big hit, with early buzz on the movie very positive. But that is also going to markHugh Jackman’s final turn as Wolverine, which will be closing the door on the most reliable fixture of theX-Menmovies to date. Still,X-Men 7is reportedly being worked on and now it looks like we may know who is being eyed to direct it;Simon Kinberg.
According to Collider, the longtime producer and writer for theX-Menfranchise is actually looking to make his directorial debut withX-Men 7, which is rumored to be, at least tentatively titledX-Men: Supernova. The movie will reportedly be tackling the Dark Phoenix storyline, which is something that was originally teased inX2and very poorly and loosely adapted inX-Men: The Last Stand. Here is what Collider’sSteve Weintraubhad to say about it.
“After talking to multiple sources, I can report that writer/producer Simon Kinberg is looking to make his directorial debut with the next X-Men movie and he’s already written the screenplay. From what I hear, it does focus on theDark Phoenixstoryline and it’s now up to the studio if they’ll use his script and if he’ll get to direct it.”
X-Men: Apocalypsedisappointed many fans but still managed to bring in a respectable $543 million at the box office. The movie did succeed by bringing in a new, younger generation of classic mutants withTye Sheridanas Cyclops,Kodi Smit-McPheeas Nightcrawler,Alexandra Shippas Storm andSophie Turneras Jean Grey, who recently said she would be shooting a newX-Menmovie this summer. We know that directorJosh Booneis supposed to be shooting his long-in-developmentNew Mutantsmovie this summer as well, so it is unclear if she is going to have a role in that movie or if she meant theX-Men: Supernovawas coming together. Since Jean Grey is the most important character in theDark Phoenix Saga, she would need to be there. For those who may not know, the story centers on Jean Grey being overtaken by her own powers and transforming into a super powerful mutant known as the Dark Phoenix; a hostile being that ultimately leads to Grey’s downfall.
As forSimon Kinberg, even though he hasn’t ever directed a movie, he is probably the most connected person to theX-Men universe. Save forBryan Singer, who directed the originalX-Menand several other subsequent installments in the franchise.Simon Kinberghas written and/or produced onX-Men: The Last Stand,X-Men: Days of Future Past,X-Men: Apocalypse,Deadpool,Logan,The New Mutantsand even the new FX seriesLegion. While he may not have any actual experience as a director, his resume certainly seems to paint him as a very qualified person for the job. Not to mention that, prior toDeadpool,Tim Millerhad never directed a movie either and that worked out pretty well. If there is one knock againstKinberg, it is that he is credited as a producer and writer on the disastrousFantastic Fourreboot, but it wouldn’t be fair to put that failure entirely on his shoulders.
Collider made it clear in their report that Fox has not made any decisions and that this is how things stand at this very moment. These things could change quickly and the studio could decide to go with another, more experienced director. The ball is in their court, though, so it is possible that we could be hearing an official announcement soon thatSimon Kinbergwill be directing thenext X-Men movie. We will be sure to keep you posted as more details become available.
